Son Heung-min of South Korea (front) reacts as players of Mexico celebrate their first goal by Luis Romo (3rd L) during a group A match between Mexico and South Korea at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Guadalajara Stadium in Guadalajara, Mexico, June 18, 2026. (Photo by Martin Zabala/Xinhua)MEXICO CITY, June 18 (Xinhua) -- Mexico became the first team to reach the knockout stage while Canada claimed its first-ever World Cup win and Switzerland boosted its hopes of advancing on Thursday.In Guadalajara, Luis Romo scored in the second half as Mexico secured a place in the round of 32 with a 1-0 victory over South Korea.After a scrappy first half, Romo broke South Korea's resistance early in the second with a close-range finish after a fumble from goalkeeper Kim Jun-hong.Mexico defended resolutely thereafter to claim its second win in as many matches and move to six points in Group A, three ahead of second-placed South Korea."It was a very tough match, very hard. Both teams know each other extremely well," Mexico head coach Javier Aguirre told reporters. "They put us under a lot of pressure, we battled hard, we didn't give them any space and, in the end, it was always going to come down to a mistake tipping the balance one way or the other."Jonathan David (C) of Canada celebrates his goal during the group B match between Canada and Qatar at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at BC Place Vancouver in Vancouver, Canada, June 18, 2026. (Xinhua/Meng Yongmin)In Vancouver, Jonathan David scored a hat-trick as Canada romped to a historic 6-0 rout of Qatar.The Asian team played almost the entire second half with nine men, having lost Homam Ahmed in the first half and Assim Madibo early in the second for rash challenges that earned them straight red cards.Cyle Larin opened the scoring with a close-range shot, and David doubled the advantage with a well-timed volley. The Juventus forward made it 3-0 with a tap-in on the stroke of halftime before Nathan Saliba curled a free-kick that rebounded in off the post.Mohammed Manai's own goal and David's stoppage-time strike ended Canada's run of seven World Cup games without a victory dating back to 1986.The result leaves Canada top of Group B with four points, ahead of second-placed Switzerland on goal difference. Qatar is last with one point from two games.Canada's celebrations were tempered by a suspected broken leg suffered by midfielder Ismael Kone following Madibo's tackle that led to the Qatari midfielder's expulsion."Everybody was crushed when it happened, but we had to find a way to stay focused. We knew that Ismael wanted us to finish the job," Canada head coach Jesse Marsch said. "There are a lot of thoughts that go through our heads right now, we're all thinking about him, but we're all very proud of what we are."Johan Manzambi (2nd L) of Switzerland celebrates his goal during a group B match between Switzerland and Bosnia and Herzegovina at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Los Angeles Stadium in Los Angeles, the United States, June 18, 2026. (Xinhua/Bai Xuefei)In Los Angeles, substitute Johan Manzambi scored twice as Switzerland cruised to a 4-1 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina.The game appeared to be drifting toward a goalless draw before Manzambi volleyed in from close range in the 74th minute, sparking a rush of goals and drama.Six minutes later, Bosnia and Herzegovina was reduced to 10 men when Tarik Muharemovic was shown a red card for dragging down Breel Embolo when the forward was through on goal.Ruben Vargas, also a second-half substitute, doubled the lead with a cool finish from 12 yards, and Manzambi then side-footed home to make it 3-0.Ermin Mahmic pulled a goal back with a 93rd-minute volley, but Granit Xhaka converted from the penalty spot to restore his side's three-goal lead."It was very important that after the second hydration break, we would change a few things, because then the opponent can't react immediately," Switzerland manager Murat Yakin told reporters. "Maybe that was the edge we had. We brought in very fast players, and our opponent couldn't run [with them], and it opened up gaps on the edge. That was my strategy. I waited until the break."Teboho Mokoena (2nd R) of South Africa celebrates a goal from a penalty kick with teammates during the group A match between the Czech Republic and South Africa at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Atlanta Stadium in Atlanta, the United States, June 18, 2026. (Xinhua/Wang Kaiyan)In Atlanta, Teboho Mokoena converted a late penalty to earn South Africa a 1-1 draw with the Czechia. Michal Sadilek opened the scoring with a low finish after a slick exchange with Alexandr Sojka, before Mokoena sent Matej Kovar the wrong way with his spot kick after a Pavel Sulc handball."If we go on like that and if we can make another performance like today, I think we have a chance to go in the second round," South Africa head coach Hugo Broos said.Czechia manager Miroslav Koubek said his team deserved to win the match."We are sorry about the result, because I think that taking a look at the chances, we were nearer to victory," Koubek told reporters. "South Africa did not create too many chances. They only had a few shots on goal from distance." ■